Right2Bet Condems French Reform of online betting

4/9/10 – RIGHT2BET, the consumer-led campaign to allow fair access to online betting, have today voiced their anger at the moves by the French government to reform their regime.
 
The reform bill passed the country’s National Assembly on Tuesday by 299-233 votes, with only the Supreme Court now standing in its way.
 
The reform makes it extremely difficult for licensed EU operators based outside France to operate at a profit.  It is rumoured that many companies will be forced to cease offering any services to French citizens in order to comply with the law, meaning the lack of choice, value and protection that those based in France currently experience will continue.
 
Right2bet have been conducting a betting challenge over the last four months to see how much consumers are losing out across the EU.  In France it has shown that if bettors were no longer forced to bet with the French sports betting monopoly, Francaise des Jeux, they would be 24% better off with access to the private sector.
 
Right2bet campaign spokesman Mike Robb said: “This is not reform.  It is an attempt by the French government to do something that looks like reform whilst continuing to shore up the state monopolies and domestic providers.
 
“It has always been the aim of the French authorities to force reform through in time for the World Cup this summer, and doing so has led to a farcical situation whereby only the state monopolies will be legally allowed to accept bets on the tournament as there is not enough time for private operators to apply for a licence.
 
“Right2bet wants to do something about this and is encouraging as many people as possible to sign a petition that we will take to politicians, both in Paris and Brussels, to make their voices heard.  To sign it you simply need to visit www.right2bet.net and add your name to the list of thousands who have already voiced their anger.”